Simulation of the diffusion of acetylcholine in the neuroeffector junctions of the sinus node

Franklin Dexter; Gerald M Saidel; Yoram Rudy

doi:10.1016/S0022-5193(89)80232-2

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Simulation of the diffusion of acetylcholine in the neuroeffector junctions of the sinus node

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Simulation of the diffusion of acetylcholine in the neuroeffector junctions of the sinus node

Franklin Dexter, Gerald M Saidel and Yoram Rudy

Journal of theoretical biology, Vol.141(4), pp.505-514

12/19/1989

DOI: 10.1016/S0022-5193(89)80232-2

PMID: 2630802

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Abstract

Traditionally, the diffusion of acetylcholine (ACh) from a neuron to cardiac muscle in a neuroeffector junction has been modeled as radial diffusion from a nerve ending into a spherical homogeneous medium. Various microscopic structures in the heart may or may not influence the spatial distribution of ACh within neuroeffector junctions. To determine the effect of microscopic anatomy on the diffusion of ACh in neuroeffector junctions, we simulated the diffusion of ACh in a two-dimensional inhomogeneous geometry that was based on micrographs of neuroeffector junctions in the sinus node. ACh was released at sites adjacent to a neuron. Simulations showed that the times of peak concentration after release and the peak concentrations per se were distributed symmetrically above and below and to the right and left of the neuron, but not radially about the neuron. We conclude that the diffusion of ACh in the neuroeffector junctions of the sinus node cannot be predicted well by a mathematical model that assumes radial diffusion in a spherical and homogeneous medium.

Sinoatrial Node - metabolism

Acetylcholine - metabolism

Diffusion

Models, Biological

Neuroeffector Junction - metabolism

Details

Title: Subtitle: Simulation of the diffusion of acetylcholine in the neuroeffector junctions of the sinus node
Creators: Franklin Dexter - Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
Gerald M Saidel
Yoram Rudy
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of theoretical biology, Vol.141(4), pp.505-514
DOI: 10.1016/S0022-5193(89)80232-2
PMID: 2630802
NLM abbreviation: J Theor Biol
ISSN: 0022-5193
eISSN: 1095-8541
Publisher: England
Grant note: HL33343 / NHLBI NIH HHS HMO-7250 / PHS HHS HL10951 / NHLBI NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 12/19/1989
Academic Unit: Health Management and Policy; Anesthesia
Record Identifier: 9983806372802771

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